WJC Canada Pregame: Marner, Dermott to make World Junior Debut Against Rival Americans

Moving away from the traditional New Years Eve matchup, Canada takes on rival USA in the first game of their 2016 World Junior campaign.

Making their debut for Canada today are Leafs prospects Mitch Marner and Travis Dermott. Behind the bench for the American side is another familiar face for Toronto fans, in former coach Ron Wilson.

The game sees the two Leafs prospects up against a few of their junior teammates- Marner against Christian Dvorak and Matthew Tkachuk of the London Knights, while Dermott will see fellow Erie Otter Alex DeBrincat on the other bench.

Marner on Dvorak: “He never really jokes around so my goal is to try & make him joke around a little bit, see if I can get him off his game”

Strome and Marner have been a duo since the beginning of camp, it seems, but have had a rotating left winger. Meanwhile, Dermott’s been used with a number of partners. Expect these lines to change, as it is game one.